The International Academy on the Science and Impact of Cannabis (IASIC) is excited to present the IASIC Speaker Series. Presented free of charge, this ongoing educational seminar series will focus on the science, data and peer-reviewed research surrounding marijuana and will be led by international medical experts. This non-partisan and non-political series is continually developed, organized, and guided by doctors.
Session: Where Does Cannabis Go in the Body and How It May Affect Teenagers’ Brain?
Presented By: Zerrin Atakan, MD, FRCPsych
Date: Tuesday, January 25, 2022
Time: 1:00PM Eastern/10:00AM Pacific
Price: FREE
This presentation will begin with the composition of the cannabis plant, outlining its complexity with over 400 chemicals and four major compounds. It will then provide an overview of the endocannabinoid system within the brain and the body. This will be followed by the characteristics of the adolescent brain, particularly focussing on the possible effects of THC on the pruning process. It will also provide information on the effects of cannabis use on cognitive functioning, as well as the possible induction of THC on disrupting the excitatory-inhibitory balance of neural networks.
There will then be a discussion on why some teenagers are more at risk of developing an enduring psychotic illness following the use of high-THC cannabis.